The Defender - Fairfax Resolves SAR - Chapter Home Page · There will be a band and ... is 17 and a rising senior at Bishop Ireton ... Bishop Denis O’Connell High School, provided

The Defender President, Jack Pitzer April, May, June, 2004

Publisher, William E. Youngs

Message from Our President

State President James Robert Justice presented the award for best small chapter to President Jack Pitzer in Richmond at annual meeting February.

So what does all this mean? Best Small Chapter—should the community care? Should we as Compatriots care other than it is our Chapter and the pride of belonging to a winner? Being awarded the best chapter (small) means we carried out the objectives of the national association and most importantly inspired the community where we live, work and grow. Law Enforcement and Fire Safety was recognized for their contribution to our lives, our safety and principles of freedom, our youth were rewarded and encouraged to celebrate understanding of Revolutionary period history through a series of contests. We remembered our forefather heroes, through marking

and registering their graves in our communities as well as conducting history lessons for ourselves and the community by lecture, demonstration, parade, and celebration of their actions and the freedoms we enjoy today. The way our history relates to our present day pursuit of life, liberty and social well-being is fundamental to our objectives and why Fairfax Resolves pursues these awards called Best Chapter. Simply stated, being a member of one of the best Chapters in the State is providing a service to our community through our love of country, its principles and continual definition of freedom in our society. My term is winding down and I want to express my gratitude to those core members of the Chapter who have made this a very active and fulfilling year for me. I have enjoyed serving as your President. We do have several events coming up over the next two months.

Upcoming Events 1. We will have a regularly scheduled meeting for April 8 to be held at the McLean Government Center at 7:00. Bill Youngs, in his capacity as First Vice President will chair this meeting in my absence. He plans to show us how America’s homefront dealt with WW II. The location is at the McLean Government Center.

2. The annual Tri-Chapter Dinner of the Fairfax Resolves, George Washington and George Mason Chapters will be held on May 7 at the Army-Navy Country Club in South Arlington. This looks to be a very nice opportunity for you to participate in fellowship with our other local chapters in a more social setting. There will be a band and dancing following the formal part of the meeting. I am in the process of addressing the invitations and they should be received about the same time as this newsletter. 3. Our annual Awards Dinner and installation of officers will be held on May 13 at the Tyson’ Corner Clyde’s Restaurant. The cost is $30.00 per person. We will have musical entertainment during the cocktail period before the dinner. Everything begins at 6:30 p.m. and you should be receiving your information shortly from Richard Spurr. Please return your selection of meal and check to Richard by May 7. We have to confirm the number of members and the guests coming and the menu choices by May 10. 4. Please mark two very important dates on your calendars for the end of May. We are planning to participate in the Annual Memorial Day Parade in Falls Church. Last year, we only had four members march in the Parade. It would be fantastic if we could have more of our members participate in support of our War Veterans. We are in the beginning stages of organizing our part in the official opening of the World War II Memorial on the Mall. More information will be forthcoming, but I would hope that we could have

a near 100% turnout for this most important occasion.

President Jack Pitzer (2nd from right) accepting the Chapter Excellence award from the State Awards Committee. (Chapters have to achieve a significant amount (12 of 15) categories rated excellent before the awards committee bestows this award.)

President Pitzer communicating to the Board of Managers meeting about activities of Fairfax Resolves. A good story to relate!!

Eagle Scout Award

Joseph P. McCarter(center) Eagle Scholarship Award winner, left is President Pitzer and right

is State chairman Dr. Ken Wallenborn

Joseph P. McCarter of Mason Neck Virginia is the winner of the VASSAR State Eagle Scout Scholarship Award. The second picture has President Justice making the presentation at the old capitol building in Richmond. In addition to Joseph McCarter to the right is Dr. Ken Wallenborn, Eagle Scout Chairman, Joseph’s mother, grandmother and grandfather, and our own Compatriot President Jack Pitzer. Fairfax Resolves was proud to sponsor this year’s state winner of the Eagle Scout award. Many thanks go to Bud Ginn, our Eagle Scout chairman, for encouraging this young man. Joseph is 17 and a rising senior at Bishop Ireton

High School. There isn’t much this young man doesn’t do and this is demonstrated by the breadth of his interests and talents: Total merit badges is 38 with one palm and importantly has earned merit badges in genealogy, American heritage and law. He is a Civil War reenactor, 2nd degree black belt in TaeKwonDo, plays rugby, participates in rugby, snowboarding, skiing, climbing, kayaking, plays the guitar, bagpipes (is a Scottish Reenactor), member of the mock trials team, creative writing club, language clubs in High School, and has his amateur Radio License. He tutors at Gunston Hall, is a volunteer, Sunrise assisted living, participated in Statewide political campaigns and is a graduate of the Virginia Governor’s 2003 Japanese Foreign Language Academy. Scholastically, he is a National Merit Scholarship Commended Student (high SATs), member of the National Honor Society and was a National Spelling Bee Participant. I did not list all that was on his scholarship application, but in addition to listing all his Community activities, leadership and recognitions he had to submit a four generation ancestor chart and an original theme essay (500 words) which is related to the Revolutionary War Period. We wish him success in the national competition. We list all this to elicit Eagle Scouts for next year’s program which any one of you may know—let’s encourage them to participate—Joseph McCarter has won $1,000 toward college expenses just from the VASSAR state contest. Just insure the scout you are encouraging has not reached his 19th birthday by Dec. 31st, 2004. Next years contest. Congratulations Joseph!!

Knight Essay Contest

President Pitzer congratulates and presents award to Andrea Genovese Soares our Knight Essay Contestant winner.

Andrea Genovese with her very proud parents taken when Andrea read her

winning essay to the Chapter in March.

The Chapter winner of the Knight Essay Contest is Andrea Genovese Soares. She is an outstanding student and rising senior at George Mason High School. She along with her parents came to Falls Church, VA from Brazil and she desires to eventually return to live in Brazil and teach music to inner city youth. Andrea, in addition to being a lovely and talented young lady is quite intelligent and her honors and grades tell part of the story. As a junior she has amassed straight A’s in required courses leading to a International Baccalaureate Diploma (one of the hardest curricula a student can take) and has been in the National Honor Society since the beginning of her high school career along with the National

Honor Roll and the National Spanish Honor Society. Andrea. Is also a Venture Scholar and was selected as “Most outstanding Sophomore Girl 2002-2003”. Additionally, she was picked along with 39 other young women from around the nation, to participate in Mount Holyoke College’s “Take the Lead” program this year as well as chosen by a committee in George Mason High School to represent her school at the “Leaders in Freedom Conference” sponsored by the Civitans Club. In her many extracurricular activities she says she is “very passionate about” we find: helping to teach English as a Second Language to adults which allows her to practice her 1st and 2nd languages (Spanish and Portuguese). She plays soccer with a team she “adores” and has founded and headed the Spanish Club. Additionally, she is the editor of her schools’ online newspaper. As if this is not enough, Andrea enjoys the performing arts, playing flute in the band since 5th grade. She also sings with a choir which meets at 7 AM for three days a week—that is dedication!!! Again, we emphasize Andrea’s accomplishments to demonstrate why we do these youth programs. By example, these young leaders of tomorrow deserve to have their story told. Deserve to be held up in our Society as a role model to encourage other youth to achieve. They also deserve the best start we can give them with scholarship support. Andrea, for example, won a monetary prize this year, and as a rising senior she can return next year and attempt to add to her winnings locally, state and nationally.

Congratulations Andrea!!

Orations Contest

The trio of contestants brought together by Mrs. Mary Lou Wentzel and Mr. Jimmy Smith, Bishop Denis O’Connell High School, provided us with an oration contest we could get our teeth into. Left to right: Brendan Jarabak, Stephan Renna, and Matthew Wadden immediately after the contest.

Matthew Wadden the winner

Matthew competed last year and came in second to the eventual State winner. This was Matt’s year and he was not going to be denied. The key to being a

great orator is simply to know the subject and communicate the ideas to your audience in a convincing manner. Matthew was outstanding.

Matthew Wadden and his Mother at the

State contest in Richmond

Matthew Wadden competed at the State level as our Chapter winner and was second or runner up. We are proud of him and his efforts. He really came close to winning it all.

Mrs. Mary Lou Wentzel, English Teacher and Mr. Jimmy Smith, Speech Teacher and Coach at Bishop O’Connel High School receive awards, well deserved from Chairman McKinley. Both these teachers have been supplying two Chapters (George Mason being the other) with students for the Oration Contest for the past three years. Their efforts needed to be acknowledged.

Captain John N. Dickie VASSAR State President Fairfax Resolves Chapter is proud to announce one of our own, Compatriot John N. Dickie, has been elected VASSAR State President.

James Robert Justice placing the President’s insignia around John’s neck at the installation in Richmond. To the right in the picture is 1st Lady Judy Dickie and immediate past 1st Lady May Justice is looking on to the left of John looking at the picture.

John Dickie, newly installed President of the Virginia Society communicates his inaugural message to the Virginia Society, February 21st, 2004. We are supportive of John’s agenda. His watchword and desired actions are teamwork and master the ability of all compatriots in committees and workgroups. All of us have skills and abilities to contribute in a unique

way. If all of us, Chapters included, can do just one more thing than last year, one more program, one more visit to a veteran, one more historic site visited and remembered, etc. we will go along way to making this year extremely successful.

John Dickie communicating to the Board of Managers, Friday evening Board of Managers meeting, Feb 20th John has spent several years with the Sons of the American Revolution, served through all offices and has been recognized repeatedly for his financial expertise and support provided VASSAR. He has also served several years as Senior Society President for the Dick Anderson Society, Virginia Society Children of the American Revolution. He has three Children: Matthew, Altadena, CA working with the Jet Propulsion Lab (JPL) in Pasadena, CA; Dresden, recently graduated from Fordham Univ, NY with a degree in Psychology, Dresden is currently combining business knowledge with her psychology degree by taking additional courses in accounting and bookkeeping; and, John-Thomas, who works with John in the real estate business. Judy our 1st Lady is an Executive Assistant with the Motion Picture Association of America. John and Judy are the proud grandparents of Victoria (almost 2 ½ years old).

John Sinks receives Distinquished Service Medal

(highest award a VASSAR President can give a Compatriot for service during his Administration.). John spends many hours detailing the awards process and serves as resident expert for history of the awards process to Presidents and all officers of VASSAR.

Three Tenors or rather three Compatriots ready for action in the Old State House of Delegates Building. ( L to R : Dennis Hickey, William Youngs, and Jack Pitzer.) The mace is a replica used today to open the House of Delegates in Virginia and is a copy of the original mace used by the House of Burgesses in Williamsburg, VA

John Sinks, Graves Chairman,

Fairfax Resolves provides a discussion

relative to awards and the awards

process at the Board of Managers

meeting in Richmond, February 21st.

VASSAR Officers, 2003-2004:

1st Row L to R: John Dickie, VASSAR President;

Larry McKinley, 1st VP; Robert Bowen, Secretary;

Ken Wallenborn, M.D. Surgeon; Trice Taylor, D.D.S.

Trustee; James Robert Justice, Alt Trustee; Andy

Johnson, VPG Mid-Atlantic District; 2nd Row: James

Bayne, 2nd VP; Joseph Dooley, 3rd VP; Carter Furr,

Chancellor, Wally Smith, Registrar; Ramsey

Richardson, Chaplain; Donald Baldwin, Historian;

Art Batten, Treasurer; Stephen Richey, Asst

Sec./Treasurer

Chapter Excellence Awards:

Jack Pitzer, 2nd from right shown receiving the Chapter Excellence

Streamer from President Justice at the awards ceremony in

Richmond, February 21st. Other chapters & Compatriots in picture

are L to R.

Larry McDaniel, Culpeper Minute Men; C. Marbury Seaman,

Rockbridge Volunteers; President Justice; Richard Kusserow,

George Washington; Jim Parrish, Thomas Jefferson; W. Collyer

Linn, Williamsburg; Ralph Sweeney, Lt. David Cox;

Christopher Sheap, M.D., Fort Harrison; Kent Webber, George

Mason; James Griffes, Col Fielding Lewis; Jack Pitzer, Fairfax

Resolves; and Thomas Taylor, Norfolk Chapter.

Dennis Hickey and Sydney on the Bus

Ride to the Capitol Building at annual

meeting. Dominic Lay and his wife

along with Mary Helen Youngs are

seated behind. Bill took picture.